Procter and Gamble, brand-owner of Tampax, are one of the world’s
largest consumer goods companies and are also the top-spending advertiser
in the world (including in the UK), spending in excess of 8 billion US
dollars in 2008. Their heavily promoted launch of premium priced plastic
applicator tampons has enabled them to expand their profits and grow
their share globally.

Often
flushed through the sewage system (especially after heavy rainfall),
plastic tampon applicators can now be found on beaches throughout the
world and will endure in the marine environment for hundreds of years.

Increasingly
dismayed by the amount of plastic tampon applicators washing up on
the beach where I live, I decided to investigate for myself the reasons
why Procter & Gamble should want to convert people from non-applicator
or biodegradable cardboard applicator tampons to plastic applicator
tampons that will last for hundreds of years when flushed out to sea.

'We use life-cycle thinking, a discipline we helped
pioneer, to determine a product’s entire environmental footprint,
from the procurement of raw materials to the product’s use by
consumers and ultimate disposal.'
Source: pg.com January 2010

‘It is Procter & Gamble's policy to reduce,
or prevent, the environmental impact of our products and packaging
in their design, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal whenever
possible. We take a leading role in developing innovative, practical
solutions to environmental issues related to our products, packaging
and processes.’
Source: www.pg.com, September 2009

‘We will remain committed to helping solve
the world’s sustainability challenges because we are designed
to innovate, now and for generations to come.’
Source: Procter & Gamble Sustainability Report 2008

'Feminine Care is extending its brands to reach millions
of new consumers in developing markets and new segments, such as plastic
applicator tampons. Each additional global share point earned in Feminine
Care is worth $100million of P&G sales'.
Proctor & Gamble annual report 2003

'Touching lives, improving life'.
P&G Tampax brand strap-line

Hmmm...yes, touching lives (when we swim in
the sea,build sandcastles in the sand and picnic on the beach...) but improving life....?